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Another Democrat exits California's crowded gubernatorial race weeks before the June 2 primary election

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:54:42 -0400

Another Democrat has dropped out of California’s crowded gubernatorial race as the primary election approaches in roughly six weeks.

Former state Controller Betty Yee, of San Francisco, announced her withdrawal Monday after polling showed she had failed to break into the top tier of candidates, according to The Associated Press (AP).

Her exit comes just a week after embattled former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell also withdrew from the race amid multiple serious sexual misconduct allegations.

"Today I am announcing that my campaign for governor will be suspended," Yee said in a video announcement, Fox 11 Los Angeles reported. "This campaign has always been about something much bigger than any one candidate. It’s about building a California where opportunity is real and owned, where government regains trust by being responsible and accountable, and where no one is left behind."

JOY REID BLASTS CA DEMS FOR LETTING GOP CONTENDERS TAKE LEAD IN GOVERNOR’S RACE

Yee, who had been vying to become California’s first female governor as Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to leave office, consistently lagged in the polls, never rising above roughly 3% support among likely voters, according to local nonprofit outlet Cal Matters.

She attributed her inability to gain traction in part to fundraising challenges in a race known for its steep costs and heavy advertising demands.

"It was becoming clear that the donors were not going to be there. Even some of my former supporters just felt like they needed to move on," Yee said, according to The AP.

KEVIN MCCARTHY CALLS GAVIN NEWSOM’S LEADERSHIP A ‘FAILURE,’ WARNS CALIFORNIA IS ON ‘DOWNWARD SLOPE’

During an emotional announcement, Yee thanked her supporters who stood by her throughout her two-year campaign, which emphasized her experience managing the state budget and highlighted her family’s middle-class immigrant background.

Before serving as state controller, where she audited government agencies and oversaw the allocation of state funds, Yee previously worked as a budget director under former Gov. Gray Davis before being elected to the State Board of Equalization.

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Yee’s exit leaves former Rep. Katie Porter as the primary woman in the race.

As the June 2 primary election approaches in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most closely watched state contests, other remaining key candidates include Democrats Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, along with Republican frontrunners Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Nancy Mace moves to expel fellow Republican Cory Mills, citing misconduct allegations

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:52:49 -0400

FIRST ON FOX: The House of Representatives could soon face another expulsion vote after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said she would seek the removal of an embattled Republican from Congress.

Mace filed a motion to expel Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., on Monday evening. The measure is not privileged, though Mace could move to force a vote in the future.

Mace’s resolution, first obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital, accuses Mills of misrepresenting his military service, sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations and illicit involvement in federal contracts as a member of Congress, among other charges.

The expulsion push comes after NOTUS reported on Monday that Mills was drafting a similar resolution to remove Mace from the chamber.

NANCY MACE CALLS ON CONGRESS TO RELEASE SEXUAL HARASSMENT RECORDS, WANTS AN 'AVALANCHE OF RESIGNATIONS'

A spokesperson for Mills did not immediately return a request for comment on Mace’s expulsion resolution or the status of the congressman’s measure targeting Mace.

"As a survivor, I will always stand up and right the wrongs of others," Mace, who is running for governor of South Carolina, wrote on social media Monday. "He is only coming after me because he knows he’s next."

Mills has faced a bevy of recent scandals, including allegedly threatening an ex-girlfriend with revenge porn after they broke up and a separate assault allegation that law enforcement responded to in Washington, D.C., last year.

He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. Mills is seeking a third House term this November and President Donald Trump has endorsed his re-election campaign.

It is unclear whether Mace’s resolution could clear the two-thirds threshold required to expel a member of Congress.

HOUSE LAWMAKERS EXPRESS DISGUST OVER SWALWELL NOT BEING EXPOSED SOONER: 'IT'S SHAMEFUL':

Lawmakers in both parties have largely stopped short of calling for Mills’ removal, though many have voiced concern about the serious allegations against him.

"If there's evidence of criminal misconduct and wrongdoing, I hold the same standard for every member of Congress, whether they're a Democrat or Republican," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., told ӣ��Ƶ Digital last week when asked about whether she would support expelling Mills.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., is also expected to face an expulsion vote as soon as Tuesday if she does not resign.

The House Ethics Committee is expected to recommend its suggested punishment against Cherfilus-McCormick for violating more than two dozen ethics rules during a hearing Tuesday afternoon. She is also facing a separate federal criminal indictment.

Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, resigned last week to avoid looming expulsion votes, though both scandal-plagued lawmakers were likely at higher risk of being successfully removed by their colleagues. Swalwell has been accused by at least five women of sexual misconduct, while Gonzales admitted to an extramarital affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.

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The looming expulsion vote is not the first time Mace and Mills are set to clash on the House floor.

Mace’s push to censure Mills and strip him of two committee assignments was overwhelmingly rejected by the House in November 2025. More than 300 lawmakers voted to send the matter to the House Ethics Committee, which is also investigating Mills for domestic violence and misrepresenting his military service, among other allegations of misconduct.

House GOP leadership has continued to stand by the embattled Florida Republican.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who has urged lawmakers to let Ethics Committee proceedings run their course prior to punitive measures, told reporters last week that he would be "looking into" the status of the Mills probe.

The House Ethics Committee released a statement Monday stating that its investigation into Mills that began in November 2025 was still ongoing. The panel noted its inquiry involves "sexual misconduct and/or dating violence."

The traditionally secretive panel did not specify a timeline for when it plans to wrap up the probe.

Eric Swalwell cameo in ‘Jury Duty: Company Retreat’ raises eyebrows following misconduct claims

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:54:28 -0400

A very brief cameo from former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., in Prime Video's "Jury Duty: Company Retreat" is taking some viewers by surprise following sexual misconduct and harassment allegations that prompted his resignation.

"That's wild," one user wrote on X, saying she didn't realize the former congressman, who she called "disgraced," had made an appearance as an instructor on the show.

On Threads, one user described seeing Swalwell on the show as "kinda uncomfortable."

Another, responding to someone who had questioned why no one had raised concerns about Swalwell's appearance, said they were happy that his airtime was so "clipped."

BILL MAHER CALLS ERIC SWALWELL A 'F---ING CREEP,' SAYS HE 'NEVER LIKED' THE DISGRACED DEMOCRAT

According to the entertainment news platform Decider, Swalwell's appearance came around 18 minutes into Episode 8 of "Company Retreat."

None of the seminar Swalwell is delivering appears in the episode, but he does appear in front of the cast and asks if anyone has questions, the outlet added.

After calling on one character who asks, "Can you speak on the corrosive influence of money in politics?" Swalwell put his hands in his pockets and lets out a sigh.

ANGER SWELLS AS SWALWELL'S 'OPEN SECRET' WITH WOMEN WENT UNREPORTED FOR YEARS

His full response was said to have been cut for time.

The show's filming concluded approximately two years before recent allegations emerged against Swalwell, Decider stated.

Amazon did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

BROADCAST BIAS: MAJOR MEDIA IGNORED SWALWELL SCANDAL UNTIL DEMOCRATS WANTED HIM GONE

Swalwell's scant appearance became a point of conversation as the former congressman faces a slew of sexual misconduct and harassment allegations from multiple women who recently came forward to recount their experiences.

Following the allegations, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his position in Congress.

While he has denied the allegations of misconduct, he has admitted to making mistakes in the past.

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"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement announcing his resignation.

"I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the multiple allegations against Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

District attorneys for both Los Angeles and New York have also launched their own respective investigations.

Nancy Mace calls on Congress to release sexual harassment records, wants an 'avalanche of resignations'

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:45:43 -0400

Rep. Nancy Mace is calling for a reckoning in the halls of Congress after the resignation of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell. She accused the political establishment of shielding predators to protect their own power and introduced a resolution to stop it.

Mace joined "Saturday in America" to discuss the resolution she put forward for the House Ethics Committee to release its records on sexual harassment by lawmakers.

"I think there should be an avalanche of resignations," Mace said. "I want every single predator that’s in Congress now to be forced to resign. I don’t care how long it takes. If we can do it fast, let’s do it now, regardless of party."

Mace’s renewed action comes after Swalwell resigned from Congress and ended his California gubernatorial bid earlier this month following multiple sexual misconduct allegations. At least five women have accused him of misconduct, including Lonna Drewes, who alleges he drugged and raped her in a hotel room in 2018.

SWALWELL ACCUSERS DETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH LAWMAKER AFTER HE ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS

Since the allegations surfaced, some journalists and political operatives have said Swalwell’s behavior was widely known on Capitol Hill. Mace said she wants to end the culture of silence on both sides of the political aisle.

"Both parties decided that they would vote against revealing the sexual harassment records of their own party," Mace said of a previous vote that failed on the issue.

"What happens is both parties will protect the other because they don't want their skeletons out there," she added.

‘HE SHOULD GO’: SENATE DEMS TURNED ON SWALWELL AHEAD OF RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Not long after Swalwell’s resignation, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales also announced his resignation from Congress. He admitted earlier this year to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a staffer.

Mace said she raised concerns about Gonzales with colleagues after hearing rumors about him, adding the resolution is meant to hold all members of Congress to the same standard.

SWALWELL’S MOUNTING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS THREATEN CAREER BEYOND POLITICS, EXPERTS WARN

"We need to clean up our own party because if we're [going to] attack Democrats for their behavior, we have to be willing to acknowledge when we have someone that needs to be kicked out," Mace said.

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In a statement posted Monday, Swalwell vowed to fight the "serious, false allegations made against me."

"Expelling anyone from Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But, it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress," Swalwell said.

Bill Maher calls Eric Swalwell a 'f---ing creep,' says he 'never liked' the disgraced Democrat

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:30:42 -0400

Comedian Bill Maher blasted former U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., as a "f---ing creep" in a "Real Time" takedown Friday, pointing to previous encounters with the disgraced Democrat that raised red flags.

"I’ve got to say, we had him on a couple of times. Ask my staff, I never liked him," Maher said.

"I’ve always thought this guy was a f---ing creep. I never liked him and, yet, so many Democrats stood by him, and now that we’re finding out that it was such an open secret."

Maher highlighted a slew of other "open secrets" involving figures in the past who faced similar allegations, including former film producer Harvey Weinstein, former comedian Bill Cosby, former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, and former President Bill Clinton.

LEAVITT PUTS DEMOCRATS ON DEFENSE AS ‘DISGUSTING’ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SWALWELL MOUNT

"I hear this so many times. … It was an open secret," he said. "What is going on here where it takes so long for the open secret to [come out]?"

He proceeded to call out Republicans for appearing to claim moral superiority on the issue despite misconduct accusations having been made against lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

In the process, Maher cited E. Jean Carroll, who made accusations against President Donald Trump.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ADMIT THEY HEARD RUMORS ABOUT SWALWELL'S ALLEGED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Maher's comments come as Swalwell battles a number of sexual misconduct and harassment allegations from five different women who recently came forward to recount their experiences.

Following the allegations, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his position in Congress.

While he has denied the allegations of misconduct, he has admitted to making mistakes in the past.

ANGER SWELLS AS SWALWELL'S 'OPEN SECRET' WITH WOMEN WENT UNREPORTED FOR YEARS

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement announcing his resignation.

"I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the multiple allegations against Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

District attorneys for both Los Angeles and New York have also launched their own respective investigations.

Lawyers for Swalwell did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

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ӣ��Ƶ' Brittany Miller and Adam Pack contributed to this report.

BROADCAST BIAS: Major media ignored Swalwell scandal until Democrats wanted him gone

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:00:44 -0400

The natural instincts at the broadcast network news divisions are to play up Republican scandals and controversies and bury troubling stories about Democrats. So, it’s interesting when they pick up a Democrat scandal, drive a Democrat out of office, and then drop the story like a hot potato.

This is what happened with Rep. Eric Swalwell, who recently was the leading Democrat in California’s "jungle primary" for governor. On Friday night, April 10, CNN broke the story that four women accused him of sexual harassment. On Sunday night, Swalwell dropped out of the governor’s race. On Monday night, he resigned from Congress. That’s two news cycles and he’s gone. The networks seemed to lose interest after Wednesday morning.

The Washington Free Beacon reported these charges were coming on April 6, so the network bias by omission for four days was unsurprising. But clearly within Democrat circles, wheels were turning. The polls in this primary often showed two Republicans winning the top two seats for the general election. So, it looked like time to shrink the Democrat field of candidates.

On Saturday morning, CBS anchor Kelly O’Grady announced: "Under fire! Eric Swalwell faces calls to end his campaign for governor of California after the Democratic congressman is accused of sexual assault. The leading members of his party who are pulling their support, and what Swalwell is saying about the accusations." Even with this promotional introduction, the apparent bombshell drew only 88 words when it surfaced late in the show.

HOUSE LAWMAKERS EXPRESS DISGUST OVER SWALWELL NOT BEING EXPOSED SOONER: 'IT'S SHAMEFUL':

The Sunday shows threw in quick, sometimes nebulous questions about Swalwell’s fate. On ABC, "This Week" host Jonathan Karl couldn’t be more specific than "serious sexual misconduct allegations." NBC’s "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker asked both Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds and Washington Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal about Swalwell, and both said Swalwell should go. CBS’s "Face the Nation" didn’t bring the scandal up.

On Sunday night, CBS "Weekend News" sounded the notes of doom, that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wanted Swalwell out, and Adam Yamaguchi reported, "All 21 Democratic endorsements for Swalwell [for governor] have been withdrawn."

The broadcast reports would include Swalwell’s insistence that the allegations were false, but their overall tone was funereal. He was gone, and the problem was the atmosphere for young women working as staffers on Capitol Hill. This could also reflect several days of considering the allegations without airing them. By the time the allegations were breaking TV news, Swalwell’s fate had been decided.

SWALWELL'S FALL FROM GRACE SPARKS DEMOCRAT RUSH TO RETURN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AMID SCRUTINY

On ABC’s "The View" on Monday, only Whoopi Goldberg protested this abrupt result, insisting Swalwell denied the allegations, and that he shouldn’t have to resign before Trump does: "55 people can come out and say they should drain the swamp, but if you are not draining from the top, I don't know if people are going to take it seriously."

Strangely, the late-night comedians completely avoided mocking Swalwell as his career came apart. This was especially shocking from ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted Swalwell making his announcement that he was running for governor last November, vowing to be a "fighter and protector." That sounds bizarre now. On Thursday night, Kimmel referred briefly to Swalwell’s resignation … in a joke about Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert.

The Washington Post tweeted:

"Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D) fall left many asking how someone who was dogged by persistent rumors of inappropriate behavior toward women could have risen so high and so fast in a party that says it supports women’s rights." One obvious reason is the typical bias by omission.

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Democrats — including his mentor former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his best friend in Congress, Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego — professed complete ignorance until the last minute of Swalwell’s so-called "double life." These kinds of denials explain why the press lacks any investigative ambition. None of them wants to be on the wrong side of Pelosi.

Reporter Bethany Allen said on X that she heard information on Swalwell's behavior in 2020 when at Axios, but because it wasn't her beat, she simply passed it along and never reported it. When conservatives pounced on that, she blamed the conservative media, like it’s supposed to be their job to expose Democrats, not the liberal media.

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Democrat strategist Michael Trujillo posted on X Thursday morning that a reporter with Politico was working on verifying the rumors on Swalwell when he was running for president for a few months in 2019: "Two days before he was scheduled to sit down with this reporter Swalwell dropped out of the race. The energy disappeared to potentially take him out."

Journalists could say there’s a chasm between rumors of sexual misconduct and verifiable allegations. But it could be argued that the broadcast networks didn’t wait for verification before spreading wild rumors about conservatives, as in the Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process. The burden of proof is much lighter on the right. It didn’t matter that one of the most aggressive pushers of wild Kavanaugh allegations was one Eric Swalwell.

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Joy Reid blasts California Dems for letting GOP contenders take lead in governor’s race

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:00:08 -0400

Former MSNOW host Joy Reid said on "The Joy Reid Show" that California Democrats failed to properly vet the gubernatorial field, allowing two Republican candidates to sit at the top of the race while broader concerns about Democratic preparedness went unaddressed.

Reid framed her criticism around the stakes of the contest, warning that control of California was central to Democratic electoral success.

"What we really care about out here in these streets is that California doesn’t go Republican," she said.

Reid emphasized the state’s importance in presidential politics, arguing Democrats could not afford missteps in such a critical stronghold.

JON STEWART BLASTS CALIFORNIA DEMS, WARNING THEIR EIGHT CANDIDATES MAY SPLIT VOTE, LEAD TO GOP VICTORY

"You cannot become president as a Democrat without California," Reid said. "Do you see how many electoral college votes they have? That number is 54."

The segment shifted to her concerns about Democratic strategy when Reid questioned whether party officials had conducted sufficient vetting and opposition research during the primary.

"Do y’all not have an oppo research arm inside of the Democratic Governor’s Association?" Reid asked.

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY CANCELS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AFTER BACKLASH FOR ALL WHITE CANDIDATES

She argued that internal failures allowed "flawed" Democratic candidates to advance, while the GOP remained competitive in the race.

"If you let California fall into the hands of somebody who we can’t guarantee would run a free and fair election in the state of California, then, you know what, Democrat, that would be on you if 2028 is cooked because you all let Eric Swalwell get to the front of the line without a simple basic oppo research vet," Reid said.

Reid said she had learned opposition research was being prepared by political opponents but had not yet surfaced publicly, raising questions about timing.

TRUMP BACKS HILTON AHEAD OF CALIFORNIA GOP VOTE, TESTING BIANCO’S GRIP ON PARTY ENDORSEMENT

"I learned over the weekend that there were people who were preparing huge amounts of oppo on the right to dump on this guy once he got closer to the primary," she said.

"They were going to wait until right before the primary," Reid added. "Democratic Party, what is the plan here?"

Reid reiterated the broader national implications, comparing California’s importance to Democrats with Texas for Republicans.

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"In the same way that if Republicans ever lost the 40 electoral college votes in Texas, they couldn’t win an election. Same goes for Democrats and California," she said.

"Y’all didn’t think maybe y’all should leak to a system, and maybe there was some issues?"

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the California Democratic Party for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

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Anger swells after Swalwell's 'open secret' with women went unreported for years

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:13:38 -0400

Numerous reports from journalists and political operatives suggesting the alleged sexual misconduct of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was an open secret that long went unreported have prompted consternation and anger.

Swalwell, who until earlier this month was a top candidate for governor of California, saw his career fall apart in the span of a week after a flood of sexual misconduct allegations, including claims of rape and sexual assault.

He suspended his campaign, resigned from Congress and admitted "mistakes" while denying the more serious charges against him.

Swalwell was a prominent House member for over a decade, particularly since President Donald Trump's first term began, and he became one of the faces of the "resistance."

‘HE SHOULD GO’: SENATE DEMS TURNED ON SWALWELL AHEAD OF RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT

In December 2025, Democratic strategist Michael Trujillo warned of Swalwell’s skeletons in a now-deleted social media post.

"I guess Swalwell can enjoy today, but folks know he slept with many of his interns while married, sexually harassed others while engaged, has a ton of weird texts late at night saved on former interns' phones still, he gets he will have to answer for this later on during the campaign, right? Endorse at your own peril people," Trujillo wrote.

Trujillo later said he deleted the post after receiving a cease and desist letter from Swalwell’s campaign. But his stark warning to Democrats that it was dangerous to endorse Swalwell’s bid for governor came to fruition this week when multiple women came forward.

Swalwell is now facing a string of accusations, including that he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. The accusations, which he has largely denied, have resulted in an onslaught of questions about who may have known about the alleged scandalous behavior.

Swalwell in part boosted his career as a ubiquitous cable news guest, making hundreds of appearances on CNN and MS NOW — previously MSNBC — while in Congress. He was a particularly strong proponent of the Russiagate "collusion" theory and made a brief 2020 presidential bid, in part based on his TV presence.

Trujillo claimed reporters were working to confirm rumors about Swalwell back in 2020, but "energy disappeared to potentially take him out" once he dropped out of that year's crowded Democratic presidential race.

Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic Gen Z activist who helped put a spotlight on allegations against Swalwell with a series of viral videos, also bluntly stated that allegations had been floating around Capitol Hill.

"I had heard these rumors for years," Hunt said on TikTok before Swalwell’s political career imploded.

PELOSI DISTANCES HERSELF FROM ALLY SWALWELL AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

Politico’s California bureau chief and senior politics reporter teamed up for a piece headlined, "The whisper network that caught up to Eric Swalwell," that noted the Democrat "had developed a reputation for unsavory and sometimes unwanted behavior toward women."

"Those warnings were shared in whisper networks but rarely traveled outside the circle of political insiders," Politico reported in the piece that credits Trujillo, Hunt and Arielle Fodor, known as "Mrs. Frazzled" on social media, for finally bringing the allegations to light.

Many others have also suggested Swalwell's behavior was an "open secret" once his political career began to unravel.

"It was an open secret that he had issues with women, that he was somebody who was susceptible, potentially to heavy drinking, to impropriety with women," "The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said this week.

DOJ OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ERIC SWALWELL OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS

Journalist Yashar Ali responded to a social media post criticizing "every Democrat" for renouncing Swalwell without a smoking gun by declaring, "It’s because they’ve all known for years."

One reporter wrote she didn't work to report certain rumors because "MeToo stories on the Hill aren't related to my beat."

Heritage Foundation media fellow Tim Young believes reporting from The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN that exposed Swalwell's alleged behavior was pushed by Democrats to "get him out of the gubernatorial primary before the damage became irreversible."

"The bottom line is that media not only skews left but is a part of the Democrat machine. They cover for ‘open secrets’ about behavior of people they support, then turn on them when they get marching orders," Young told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

The Washington Post published a story, "How Eric Swalwell rose to the top of Democratic politics as rumors followed him," that reported the ex-lawmaker "was dogged by persistent rumors of inappropriate behavior toward women" but thrived because the Democratic Party was "enamored with a young congressman’s talent for sound bites and landing blows against President Donald Trump."

The Post added that many are wondering how Swalwell "could have risen so high and so fast in a party that says it supports women’s rights." A San Francisco Chronicle article Friday noted the "stunningly fast fall from grace for a rising star in the Democratic Party, which many close allies and people who knew Swalwell are still trying to make sense of."

FORMER SWALWELL ALLY SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM 'CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC

Conservative pundit Stephen L. Miller offered a suggestion for the Post on his "Versus Media" podcast.

"I know where the Washington Post can start. It involves a mirror," Miller said.

"The piece goes on to kind of profile his rise in Congress, saying he became good friends with Nancy Pelosi right off the bat," Miller continued. "That’s probably why The Washington Post decided not to follow up with any of these rumors for over six years."

Reporting on sexual misconduct by powerful figures has always been a struggle, however. Media defenders note the difficulties of women coming forward to make sensitive accusations and recalling such painful experiences.

In 2017, CNN reported that "more than half a dozen interviewees independently named one California congressman for pursuing female staffers." CNN did not name the lawmaker because the claims were "unverified." CNN has not verified that the line referred to Swalwell, but one of the article's reporters, MJ Lee, posted the story to X on Tuesday.

Nine years later, CNN’s Brian Stelter was roasted on Monday for declaring that Swalwell ending his bid for California governor is "a testament to the power of investigative reporting."

The Hill columnist T. Becket Adams quipped, "And all it took was seven terms in Congress and about a half-dozen victims for investigative journalists to break the news of behavior apparently everyone knew about."

ERIC SWALWELL WAS CABLE NEWS STAR FOR YEARS BEFORE RAPID FALL FROM GRACE

Journalist Drew Holden responded, "So powerful, in fact, that multiple reporters waited over a decade to say anything about Swalwell’s misconduct."

"We've now had multiple reporters come out and say Swalwell's behavior was an open secret since at least 2017. So, no, this is not a testament to the power of investigative reporting. If anything, it is a failure of investigative reporting," radio host Erick Erickson reacted.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s Ashley Oliver contributed to this report.

Swalwell was dubbed the 'Snapchat king of Congress' years before sexual misconduct scandal emerged

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:00:05 -0400

Disgraced former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was once dubbed the "Snapchat king of Congress," years before his career was derailed by newly surfaced sexual misconduct allegations.

Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial bid amid the fallout of damning reports alleging sexual harassment and sexual assault.

In his public statements, Swalwell has fiercely denied the criminal allegations but admittedly suggested he had acted inappropriately outside his marriage in the past.

Among the allegations are accusations he sent unsolicited photos of his genitalia to women he had met in professional settings on Snapchat, the popular social media platform known for allowing messages and images to disappear.

‘THE VIEW’ CO-HOST CLAIMS SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TROUBLING BEHAVIOR FROM SWALWELL

In 2016, Swalwell was the subject of a glowing report from The Hill by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz about his use of the platform, which at the time was seldom used by politicians.

"Imagine a typical Snapchat user, and you probably don’t think of a 35-year-old straight-laced congressman from California," Lorenz began the report. "But in a few short months, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has skyrocketed to success on the app, using the platform to connect with constituents and grow his base.

"The result is an entertaining feed of short videos, photos and an unfiltered peek into the daily life of a congressman. He snaps photos of his daily commute, shoots videos from his hometown in northern California, and documents his daily meetings as a representative of California’s 15th district," she wrote.

REP. LUNA WARNS OF POTENTIAL JAIL TIME FOR ERIC SWALWELL FOLLOWING SERIOUS CRIMINAL ALLEGATIONS

In an interview with Lorenz, Swalwell mentioned how "so many of our constituents" were on Snapchat and not just "young people."

"That’s when I realized that a lot of people are really going there, whether it’s for getting news, staying in touch with friends, just cool, fun, interesting things that disappear in 24 hours," Swalwell said at the time. "We just realized that this was another way to communicate directly with constituents."

Swalwell boasted his growing following on the platform, telling Lorenz, "People now come up to me at the grocery store or in our community and say, ‘Hey, I like your Snapchat.’

"I want people back home to know that I haven’t forgotten about the responsibility of sharing what I do here as the person they elected."

SWALWELL’S MOUNTING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS THREATEN CAREER BEYOND POLITICS, EXPERTS WARN

According to the report, Swalwell offered "personal Snapchat lessons" to colleagues on Capitol Hill and even "carried around a stack of homemade Snapchat flyers that he hands out on the House floor."

"It may seem strange for a member of Congress to be so enamored with a social media messaging app, but Swalwell says he is passionate about mobile technology and the opportunities it provides," Lorenz wrote.

Looking back at her report nearly a decade later, Lorenz told ӣ��Ƶ Digital, "I’m horrified and disgusted by the stories coming out about his behavior. The fact that someone in his position of power was allegedly using social media to groom young women is very disturbing. I think we are all probably reading this story about his Snapchat use in a new light."

Swalwell's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

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House lawmakers express disgust over Swalwell not being exposed sooner: 'It's shameful'

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:57:58 -0400

Lawmakers from both parties expressed disgust and alarm that Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has been able to hold elected office for 16 years, build a national profile — even mount a front-running gubernatorial campaign — all the while masking the alleged sexual misconduct that forced him from office earlier this week.

"There needs to be a zero-tolerance policy in the Capitol for that type of behavior," Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., said.

"I’m glad that he resigned. He needed to resign. My heart breaks for any victim, all the women who have come forward thus far. And I’m horrified by his behavior."

McBride’s thoughts were echoed by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, who noted Swalwell’s conduct had crossed obvious red lines.

SEX CRIMES COULD COST LAWMAKERS TAXPAYER-FUNDED PENSIONS UNDER HAWLEY’S NEW PROPOSAL

"I think it's pretty clear. Don't sleep with your staff. Don't sexually harass people that work for you. And don't rape women. It's not really that hard of a list to follow," Van Duyne said.

The remarks from lawmakers come as Capitol Hill grapples with how to prevent similar stories from repeating themselves down the road.

Bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle last week laid out accounts from multiple victims detailing how Swalwell had made sexual advances toward intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and invited them to send him explicit images over text.

In their wake, Swalwell announced he would abandon his campaign to become the next governor of California on Sunday. A day later, he also announced his resignation from Congress.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was left baffled by how Swalwell had managed to keep his conduct under wraps — despite an apparent reputation for pushing the envelope.

"I don’t know — I mean it’s a shame and it’s shameful. I know folks say that there were rumors and so forth," Castro said.

LEAVITT PUTS DEMOCRATS ON DEFENSE AS ‘DISGUSTING’ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SWALWELL MOUNT

At the same time, he noted that members have limited visibility into each other’s lives.

"This place — people don’t generally, unless they intend to, they don’t generally hang around with each other a lot," Castro said.

To Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., future instances of misconduct might be prevented by a greater culture of transparency between offices.

"I think that people need to know that they can come to women members like me and do something," Dingell said.

"And I’ll tell you one thing. If Nancy Pelosi had had any indications, she would have cut his 'blanks' off," she added, referring to the former speaker of the House.

Even after his resignation, Swalwell has continued to rebuff the claims against him.

"These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service," Sara Azari, Swalwell's attorney, wrote on social media Tuesday.

"The timing, nature and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves."

Other members reacting to Swalwell’s comments said they were not concerned about when the claims surfaced.

"It's always unfortunate whenever allegations like this emerge at whatever time. But I don't think there's a wrong time for truthful allegations to ever come out," Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., said.

ERIC SWALWELL CAMPAIGN PAID HOTEL WHERE ACCUSER LONNA DREWES CLAIMS ASSAULT TOOK PLACE

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With Swalwell having resigned office, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would hold a special election to fill to fill the vacancy on Aug. 18.

A special primary is scheduled for June 16.

California Democrats admit they heard rumors about Swalwell's alleged sexual misconduct

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:00:13 -0400

Two California Democrats have acknowledged they heard rumors about Eric Swalwell's alleged sexual misconduct over the years during CNN interviews Wednesday.

Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., told CNN's Wolf Blitzer he first heard the rumors when Swalwell announced his gubernatorial campaign.

"I first heard about the rumors when Swalwell announced his run for governor in November and knew political consultants who talk about what we call oppo files, these opposition records that political consultants compile, talking about Swalwell's sexual misconduct," Liccardo said.

SWALWELL ACCUSERS DETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH LAWMAKER AFTER HE ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS

"At that time, nobody was talking about rape, as we're hearing now. It was not sexual assault, but clearly sexual misconduct, abuse of his position. And there's no question, I think, as Sen. Gallego said, rumors about that were going on for many, many years."

He wondered why action wasn't taken and why there weren't more questions asked about his behavior.

"And you can't act individually on rumors, but, certainly, when you have a swirl of rumors like this, it raises the question, 'Why wasn't there action taken?'" Liccardo said. "And equally important, not just what happened here in D.C., but in California, why did so many powerful groups and individuals get behind a man that had so many swirling rumors of sexual misconduct? Why weren't important questions asked?"

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, a Democrat running in the California governor's race, also acknowledged rumors in an interview with CNN's Pamela Brown on Wednesday.

"I think many of us had heard the rumors as well. Never seen any corroboration. But, certainly, I think that the word had gone out. Look, these are public servants," Becerra responded.

"They should know they're going to be held accountable. So, one way or the other, the facts are going to come forward. And they should. There are a lot of survivors who have now come forward. They deserve the truth."

ERIC SWALWELL CAMPAIGN PAID HOTEL WHERE ACCUSER LONNA DREWES CLAIMS ASSAULT TOOK PLACE

He was also asked about Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who was one of Swalwell's closest friends in Congress, who said their tight-knit relationship "clouded" his judgment regarding rumors that swirled about the ex-lawmaker for years in Washington, D.C.

"Eric Swalwell lied to all of us," Gallego said at a press conference in his office Tuesday. "He lied to the most powerful people in this country, and they trusted him. They trusted him with some of the most sensitive spots in our government, whether it was on Judiciary Committee, Intel Committee, impeaching Donald Trump.

"And that clouded my judgment, my friendship with him," he continued. "Our family's friendship together with him clouded my judgment. And I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that."

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Brown asked Becerra if Gallego's explanation was defendable.

"I'm not going to try to put myself in Sen. Gallego's shoes, but I will tell you this. There has not been enough accountability. That's a fact," Becerra said.

"And we're going to have to see accountability go all the way through. The fact that Congressman Swalwell has left the race for governor, the fact that he's resigned his position as a member of Congress, those are all, I believe, the right moves. But that doesn't mean that accountability is done. The business of accountability means getting to the truth for these survivors."

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Swalwell has denied all the allegations but has acknowledged mistakes were made.

DOJ opens investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:20:13 -0400

The Department of Justice is investigating the multiple sexual assault allegations against former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Within the last few weeks, Swalwell has been accused by five different women of sexual assault and harassment over the last several years. District attorneys for both Los Angeles and New York have also launched their own respective investigations.

The string of allegations includes that he allegedly drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. He has denied all the allegations, but has admitted to making mistakes.

Following the allegations, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his position in Congress.

'THE VIEW' CO-HOST CLAIMS SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TROUBLING BEHAVIOR FROM SWALWELL

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement announcing his resignation. "I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

"I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong," he continued. "But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress."

While Swalwell was originally silent as the allegations began, his office broke its silence earlier this week speaking to the New York Post.

ROSIE O'DONNELL HEARTBROKEN OVER SWALWELL SCANDAL, DECLARING 'MEN SUCK' AFTER BILL CLINTON COMPARISON

"This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race," Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell, said at the time.

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Swalwell first became a member of the House of Representatives in 2013 after serving as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. He was also a city councilmember in Dublin, California, in 2010.

Sex crimes could cost lawmakers taxpayer-funded pensions under Hawley’s new proposal

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:49 -0400

FIRST ON FOX – A Senate Republican wants to prevent lawmakers convicted of sex crimes from receiving their taxpayer-funded retirements after leaving office.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is introducing new legislation, first obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital, to close a gap in federal law that strips pensions for some felonies, but not sexual abuse.

It comes as Congress is having another reckoning over their members' actions after sexual misconduct and rape allegations this month against two House lawmakers resulted in their back-to-back resignations.

SENATOR GALLEGO SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH SWALWELL 'CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC

Lawmakers are required to forfeit their pensions if convicted of a spate of felonies, including fraud, treason, bribery and perjury. But there is no such law that would require a lawmaker convicted of felony sexual abuse to forfeit a pension.

Hawley's bill, the "No Pensions for Congressional Predators Act," seeks to fix that inconsistency.

"Right now, a member of Congress can be convicted of sexual abuse and still receive a taxpayer-funded pension. That is unacceptable," Hawley told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a statement. "I'm introducing legislation to end this loophole and ensure that lawmakers are never compensated with taxpayer dollars after such a breach of trust. The only thing the government should be paying for, for these people, is a jail cell."

His legislation comes on the heels of bombshell allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who resigned from Congress on Tuesday. Five women, including a former member of Swalwell’s staff, have accused the ex-lawmaker of sexual misconduct and rape.

SWALWELL OUT AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AFTER 13 YEARS IN CONGRESS

While no charges have been filed against him, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened an investigation into Swalwell following allegations from Lonna Drewes that he had drugged and raped her.

And, even if convicted, Swalwell would still be eligible for his pension, given that he met the minimum five-year requirement to earn a pension after having served in the House for over a decade. He could earn $22,000 per year in taxpayer funding starting at age 62.

Former Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who resigned from Congress just moments before Swalwell after admitting to an affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide, is also eligible for his congressional pension. He’s similarly been accused by another former aide of sexual misconduct that he has not acknowledged.

Like Swalwell, Gonzales currently faces no charges.

PELOSI, CALIFORNIA DEMS SLAM SWALWELL OVER BOMBSHELL SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS: 'INDEFENSIBLE'

Gonzales hit the minimum time-served threshold earlier this year and could earn over $8,000 annually when he turns 62.

Hawley’s legislation also comes as misconduct allegations have made their way to the Senate. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said on X on Wednesday that "the Senate has its own trash to take out."

Luna told Senate Majority Leader John Thune, "You need to look into the allegations against one of your Senators, it’s very disturbing. My chief will be contacting your chief."

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The South Dakota Republican confirmed that his office had received the information Thursday morning.

"I don't know what the particulars are about this," Thune said. "All I know is that we referred it to the proper authorities, which, in this case, would be the Senate Ethics Committee."

'Disturbing' allegations against unnamed senator under review in wake of scandals rocking Congress

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:19:03 -0400

Allegations of misconduct against an unnamed senator were sent to the Senate Ethics Committee on Thursday.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., made the announcement on X Wednesday night, but the nature of the allegations and who they are against are unclear. ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out for comment from Luna’s office but did not immediately hear back.

"[It] seems like the Senate has its own trash to take out," Luna wrote. "[Senate Majority Leader John Thune] You need to look into the allegations against one of your Senators, it’s very disturbing. My chief will be contacting your chief."

ANNA PAULINA LUNA SAYS SHE'S 'VERY CONFIDENT' VOTES ARE THERE TO EXPEL CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK

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Thune, R-S.D., confirmed his office received the information Thursday morning.

"I don't know what the particulars are about this," Thune said. "I have not — all I know is that we referred it to the proper authorities, which, in this case, would be the Senate Ethics Committee."

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out for comment from the Senate Ethics Committee but did not immediately hear back.

DEMS BLOCK BID TO DEFUND CESAR CHAVEZ MONUMENT DESPITE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., who chairs the ethics panel, declined to comment on Luna’s post and said, "I talk zero about ethics."

When asked if lawmakers have strayed from the massive overhaul of sexual harassment reporting and accountability procedures passed in Congress in 2018, Lankford said, "No, none of that’s changed" on his ethics panel.

"We still do our work, as we always have," he said.

Luna’s allegations come in the wake of a scandal that rocked the lower chamber and has again forced a reckoning in Congress over lawmakers and their conduct after the #MeToo movement that began in 2018.

Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., resigned Tuesday from the House shortly after ending his gubernatorial campaign after a bombshell report from The San Francisco Chronicle that the ex-lawmaker allegedly sexually assaulted a former staffer.

SENATOR GALLEGO SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH SWALWELL 'CLOUDED MY JUDGMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC

Since that report last week, five women have stepped forward and accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and rape.

He has repeatedly denied the allegations and vowed to fight back against them.

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who was close friends with Swalwell but has vehemently denied any knowledge of his alleged activities, said lawmakers need to go back and make the 2018 revamp of conduct and reporting rules "better."

"Because clearly there's holes in this or, No. 2, that we haven't created an environment through the legislation to make women, especially staffers, feel that they could come and talk to somebody and not have any repercussions," Gallego said.

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Swalwell is not the only lawmaker to exit after sexual misconduct allegations.

Former Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, also resigned from Congress on Tuesday after he admitted to having an affair with a former staffer who later died by setting herself on fire. However, he has not acknowledged a second allegation of sexual misconduct.

Rosie O'Donnell heartbroken over Swalwell scandal, declaring 'men suck' after Bill Clinton comparison

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:15:53 -0400

Rosie O'Donnell reacted to the sexual misconduct allegations against former Democratic congressman and California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell in a video posted to TikTok on Tuesday, lamenting that she had donated to one of his campaigns while comparing the situation to Bill Clinton.

"Now can we talk a little bit about Eric Swalwell?" O'Donnell said. "I know that guy. In the ‘What kind of way?’ Like, spoke to him on the phone a couple times, donated money to him, I believe. Talked about him in some public appearances years ago about how I believed in him, and his cute little family and two kids, and standing up to all those people when he, you know, berates them for their moralist behavior."

After Swalwell announced on Sunday that he would be suspending his campaign for governor in California, he said Monday that he would also be resigning from Congress amid multiple sexual misconduct allegations.

"And then all this comes out about him, and it's heartbreaking to me," she said. "You know? And I wrote him. I wrote him a little message and I said, 'You know, Bill Clinton broke my heart, and now you did too.' You know the conclusion I've come to? Men suck."

PELOSI DISTANCES HERSELF FROM ALLY SWALWELL AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

Clinton's office did not immediately return ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

O'Donnell argued men can't control their "sexual urges," and said the situation taught her not to believe in anyone.

"And boy, that Eric Swalwell. You know, teaches you not to believe in anyone," she said. "For me, that's what it does for me. I don't believe in anyone. People have images and they sell themselves as one thing, but they're not that thing. They have complications like all humans do, right? They have addictions, they have impulses, they have frontal lobe disorder, they have narcissism, they have a spoiled privileged upbringing that warps their perspective."

Swalwell is facing a string of accusations, including that he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. He has denied all the allegations, but has admitted to making mistakes.

ROSIE O’DONNELL SAYS DAUGHTER BLAMES TRUMP FOR FORCING THEIR FAMILY'S MOVE OUT OF AMERICA

O'Donnell fled the U.S. after President Donald Trump was elected in 2024 and now resides in Ireland.

She revealed during an interview in February that she had been back in the country for two weeks, but didn't tell anyone.

"I was recently home for two weeks, and I did not really tell anyone," she told Chris Cuomo during an interview on "SiriusXM’s Cuomo Mornings," in mid-February. "I just went to see my family. I wanted to see how hard it would be for me to get in and out of the country. I wanted to feel what it felt like. I wanted to hold my children again. And I hadn't been home in over a year."

She then shared that she "wanted to make sure that it was safe" for her and her daughter to come back over the summer so that they could be with family during her break from school.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital did not immediately receive a response from Eric Swalwell's representative.

GOP firebrand vows to strip Swalwell and Gonzales of lifetime taxpayer-funded benefits

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:58:07 -0400

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., vowed to cancel the pensions of former Reps. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, both of whom resigned Tuesday amid sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations.

Boebert shared a video Wednesday on X, announcing that she was "working on" efforts to ensure that Swalwell and others like him lose their taxpayer-funded pension.

"Former Congressman Eric Swalwell abused his position of power in Congress to assault and victimize women," Boebert said. "Now as things stand, taxpayers will be sending him tens of thousands of dollars every year for the rest of his life. This is totally unacceptable."

SWALWELL OUT AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AFTER 13 YEARS IN CONGRESS

Swalwell and Gonzales are both eligible for federal retirement benefits offered under the Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS, or the Civil Service Retirement System. Both plans require at least five years of federal service.

Neither congressman would be able to access his taxpayer-funded pension until age 62. They would receive roughly $22,000 each year for the rest of their lives.

FLASHBACK: SWALWELL TOUTED EPSTEIN SURVIVOR AS SOTU GUEST WEEKS BEFORE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS EMERGED

Boebert told a CNN reporter earlier in the week that she did not think Swalwell or Gonzales should have been allowed to resign. Instead, she said there should have been a vote to expel or censure them.

"And I think that we actually need to look into ways to censure, with other aspects to say you can’t have your pension, you can’t leave here with all your taxpayer-funded benefits after such shameful acts that cause you to bow out and resign from Congress," Boebert told CNN reporter Manu Raju on the House steps.

Only six House of Representatives members have been successfully expelled. An expulsion vote can be based on a member of Congress engaging in "disorderly conduct."

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Members of Congress do not automatically lose their pension benefits based upon a censure or expulsion vote. Under several federal laws, such as the HISS Act and STOCK Act of 2012, members will only lose their pensions and other benefits if they are convicted of crimes committed while in Congress.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Boebert for further details of her plan to end the former members' retirement benefits.

FLASHBACK: Swalwell touted Epstein survivor as SOTU guest weeks before sexual assault allegations emerged

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:00:30 -0400

Weeks after now-former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., invited an Epstein survivor to attend the State of the Union earlier this year in an attempt to highlight victims of sexual abuse, his political career collapsed after multiple women accused him of sexual assault.

"Like every American, I want the President to do his job. I have always attended the State of the Union, and I will again tonight. I invited Teresa Helm as my guest because she has been waiting for justice for more than two decades," Swalwell said in a press release, referring to Teresa Helm, his guest.

"Teresa’s bravery exposed the Epstein cover-up. The President owes her — and all survivors — answers," Swalwell added.

Weeks later, Swalwell would ultimately suspend his gubernatorial campaign and resign his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives over women who exposed his own improprieties.

SWALWELL ACCUSERS DETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH LAWMAKER AFTER HE ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS

Bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle last Friday recounted allegations from several women, providing detailed accounts of how Swalwell had pursued intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and asked for explicit images from female contacts.

Swalwell’s office did not respond to requests for inquiries from ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Helm serves as survivor services coordinator at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), where she partners with survivors of abuse to hold corporations and individuals who profited from and facilitated their exploitation accountable.

KASH PATEL TAUNTS SWALWELL WITH FBI SIT-DOWN AS RESIGNATION FALLOUT GROWS

Helm, a survivor of Epstein’s sex trafficking, had urged lawmakers to release the Epstein files in the lead-up to the 2026 State of the Union Address.

"At the heart of this matter is HUMAN DIGNITY and JUSTICE FOR ALL," Helm said in a press release ahead of the State of the Union.

Epstein, a financier with a prolific social circle, rubbed shoulders with the rich and powerful, including figures like Bill Gates, former President Bill Clinton, President Donald Trump, billionaire Les Wexner and the United Kingdom’s Prince Andrew.

Epstein died while incarcerated in 2019 on charges of sex-trafficking minors, leaving behind questions of whether he used his wide-ranging contacts to facilitate illegal sexual encounters.

Swalwell, like a wide range of lawmakers from both parties, had urged the Justice Department to publicly release documentation on its investigation of Epstein, arguing for public accountability on the matter.

Helm echoed those calls.

SWALWELL'S 'BEST FRIEND' IN CONGRESS TURNS ON HIM AFTER BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS TORPEDO HIS POLITICAL CAREER

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"It is crucial to join forces, lead by example and continue lighting the way for generations to come. To me, it is both an assignment and an honor to be a guest here today at the 2026 State of the Union Address," Helm said.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Helm for comment.

Eric Swalwell campaign paid hotel where accuser Lonna Drewes claims assault took place

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:45 -0400

Eric Swalwell, the former Democratic presidential hopeful who resigned from Congress and quit the California governor's race this week amid a storm of allegations ranging from sexual misconduct to rape, spent campaign money at a Hollywood hotel where a former model claims he sexually assaulted her.

Swalwell's 2018 re-election campaign made two payments at the Montrose hotel at 900 Hammond Street on July 18, 2018, according to finance records first publicized on X by a campaign finance expert named Rob Pyers. They were for $353 and $8.

That's the same address Los Angeles deputies revealed Tuesday after speaking with Swalwell's latest accuser, Lonna Drewes, who claims to have been victimized in July 2018. Swalwell has denied the allegations coming from her and several other women.

An additional review of Swalwell's expenditures by ӣ��Ƶ Digital revealed a $43.24 Lyft ride in California on that day. The filing does not show who took it or include more specifics about the ride.

ERIC SWALWELL FACES MANHATTAN SEX ASSAULT PROBE AFTER ENDING CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN AMID ALLEGATIONS

Now the disgraced ex-congressman faces legal probes on both coasts, according to authorities in New York and Los Angeles.

FBI Director Kash Patel challenged the former lawmaker to come in for an interview and encouraged any potential witnesses or victims to call the bureau's tip line in an X post. And the House Ethics Committee announced Monday its own probe into allegations of sexual misconduct.

While initially the allegations stemming from a 2024 encounter with a former staffer after a New York City gala seemed most likely to lead to charges, new evidence is emerging in California that appears to at least partially corroborate another accuser's story, according to Donna Rotunno, a Chicago-based trial attorney and ӣ��Ƶ contributor.

"She seems fairly legitimate to me," she said of Swalwell's unnamed New York accuser. "There was outcry. She went to the hospital. She seems to have some evidence to back up her story."

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Outcry is when a victim reports a sexual assault incident to someone else, like friends or family, rather than the police. Testimony from witnesses on the receiving end of these conversations is allowed in court under certain conditions, Rotunno said. It's an exception to hearsay rules.

And the New York accuser also got tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, for which she has medical records.

"She at least comes across as somebody who can back it up," said Rotunno, who is an expert defense lawyer in sex assault cases. "Now it's for somebody else to determine whether or not they think that it’s a crime."

HOUSE AVOIDS UNPRECEDENTED FOUR-MEMBER EXPULSION WEEK AS SWALWELL AND GONZALES RESIGN INSTEAD

If Manhattan investigators decide to file charges, she said they can expect a vigorous defense from Swalwell's legal team.

"Would he have known if she's too intoxicated to consent?" she posited. "Just because you don’t remember doesn’t mean you don’t consent."

Drunken drivers consented to getting behind the wheel before committing those crimes, she said. Drunken Uber riders consent to pay the bill and get home safely.

KIMMEL, COLBERT SILENT ON ERIC SWALWELL SCANDAL AFTER PLATFORMING DEMOCRAT

"Any jury can put themselves in that person's position," she said. "Drunk people have sex all the time. It’s a very nuanced area of law."

After the New York accuser went public with her allegations in a San Francisco Chronicle interview published Friday, other women came forward with allegations of misconduct or worse.

One of them was Drewes, who told Los Angeles deputies Tuesday that Swalwell allegedly sexually assaulted her at a West Hollywood hotel in July 2018, located on the 900 block of Hammond Street — the address of the Montrose hotel where Swalwell's campaign made two payments on July 18, 2018.

FORMER SWALWELL ALLY SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM 'CLOUDED MY JUDGEMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC

"It corroborates... that she was there," Rotunno said. "Now he would have to say it was consensual rather than it didn’t happen at all."

SWALWELL'S FALL FROM GRACE SPARKS DEMOCRAT RUSH TO RETURN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AMID SCRUTINY

"We were supposed to go to a political event, and he said he needed to get paperwork from his hotel room," Drewes, a former model and software entrepreneur, said during a news briefing alongside her attorneys Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali Tuesday.

She said she was already "incapacitated" by the time they got to his room.

"He raped me," she alleged. "And he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness. And I thought I died. I did not consent to any sexual activity."

The allegations are similar to those in the Chronicle piece, from a former staffer accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was blackout drunk after the New York City gala on April 25, 2024.

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According to the report, she claimed to remember only "snippets of the night," including telling Swalwell "no." Three days later, she reportedly told a friend she believed she had been sexually assaulted.

"As a lawyer who has dealt with Harvey Weinstein for now a little less than a decade, I would be very upset if they were not equally treating these people fairly," Rotunno told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "This allegation in New York is identical to the allegation on Harvey, without the alcohol. The alcohol makes it even worse."

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

In New York City, Manhattan prosecutors are also asking for additional witnesses or victims to call them.

"We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373," a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney's office told ӣ��Ƶ over the weekend. "Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner."

After the Chronicle report, other women came forward with allegations, including Drewes, who said at a news conference in Beverly Hills Tuesday that she believes Swalwell drugged and raped her at a hotel in 2018.

Swalwell has denied the allegations, but he quit the governor's race.

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"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made," he wrote on X Sunday. "But that's my fight, not a campaign's."

He later resigned from Congress.

ӣ��Ƶ' Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

Swalwell’s mounting sexual misconduct allegations threaten career beyond politics, experts warn

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:36 -0400

Mounting sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell led him to resign from Congress and drop out of the California gubernatorial race, but legal experts say the fallout could extend beyond politics, including potential disbarment.

Swalwell is facing a string of accusations, including that he drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. The accusations, which he has largely denied, have driven not just his exile from the political world but could now expose him to possible broader career repercussions.

Hans von Spakovsky, legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Swalwell is bound by the State Bar of California's rules of professional conduct. Swalwell has had an active license to practice law in the state since 2006.

'SMART DECISION': SWALWELL'S RESIGNATION SPURS PRAISE FROM BOTH PARTIES AFTER BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS EMERGE

The state lists what would constitute professional misconduct, which the bar could investigate and then decide to suspend or revoke Swalwell's license. Von Spakovsky noted that "dishonesty, fraud, [and] deceit" are included, as well as "moral turpitude."

"It would be up to the State Bar to investigate and see if his behavior falls within any of these or other prohibitions," Von Spakovsky said.

Jonathan Turley, George Washington University law professor, said Democratic allies and left-leaning media previously "shielded" Swalwell but that the congressman was now "persona non grata without a friend in the world." Turley raised the prospect of disbarment.

"If these rape and sexual harassment claims are established, he is likely to face disbarment demands," Turley said on Monday just before Swalwell resigned. "Even his prior boosters at MS NOW and CNN are unlikely to offer him a media deal."

SWALWELL ACCUSERS DETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH LAWMAKER AFTER HE ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS

Several women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct or assault, including a former staff member who alleged, according to CNN, that he had nonconsensual sexual relations with her twice, including one time that left her "bruised and bleeding," while she was intoxicated. In the latest and most serious development, a Beverly Hills woman named Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell during a press conference of drugging, raping and choking her in a hotel room in 2018.

The latter accusation prompted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to open a criminal investigation, which follows the Manhattan District Attorney's Office also announcing a criminal investigation into the claims. FBI Director Kash Patel also signaled Swalwell could have federal exposure, asking the public to provide tips and for the former congressman to meet for an interview.

Sara Azari, a NewsNation analyst who is now representing Swalwell, told the outlet "regret is not rape."

"The fact that you know a day later or years later or what not, you maybe had shame around what you did, or maybe you were in a relationship and shouldn't have done what you did, doesn't make it rape," Azari said, emphasizing that Swalwell currently only faced allegations and no civil complaints or criminal charges.

If charged and convicted, misdemeanors or felonies involving sexual offenses could lead to disbarment, even if the lawyer is not actively practicing law, according to the professional conduct rules.

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Before joining Congress, Swalwell was a law clerk and practiced law as a hate crimes prosecutor for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Azari for comment.

Anna Paulina Luna says she's 'very confident' votes are there to expel Cherfilus-McCormick

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:02 -0400

After leading the effort to force the resignation of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., one House Republican has her sights set on another target.

"I'm very confident that the votes to expel Sheila [Cherfilus-McCormick] are there," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in an interview, referring to Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., who could face an expulsion vote as early as next week.

It takes a two-thirds majority to expel a member of Congress, and Luna said she has been contacted privately by both Republicans and Democrats who plan to vote to remove the embattled Florida Democrat.

"Democrats have voiced their frustrations with her and have stated that they will vote to expel her as well," Luna said.

SWALWELL ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS AFTER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS TORPEDOED GUBERNATORIAL BID

House Democratic leadership has not yet weighed in on Cherfilus-McCormick’s fate, but a growing number of the Democratic caucus, from moderates to progressives, have backed her ouster.

The momentum for expulsion comes after a House ethics subcommittee found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of more than two dozen ethics violations in March, including allegations related to stealing millions of disaster relief funds to finance her congressional run. She is also facing a separate federal criminal indictment that could result in more than 53 years in prison if convicted.

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., is expected to introduce a resolution to expel Cherfilus-McCormick after the House Ethics Committee issues its recommended sanction next week.

Still, Cherfilus-McCormick told ӣ��Ƶ Digital on Tuesday that she would not resign despite the threat of removal.

"This is not the time to abandon the district, not when they too are fighting for their future," said Cherfilus-McCormick, who is running for re-election.

Not every lawmaker, however, has been willing to risk the prospect of expulsion, which has only happened a handful of times in U.S. history.

Luna on Tuesday threatened to introduce a motion expelling Swalwell if he did not resign. Swalwell ultimately chose to quit on his own terms rather than face a rare chamber-wide expulsion vote.

"I was ready to make that expulsion. I had it ready to go," Luna said. "And then his office contacted my office and let me know that his resignation would be coming in a few minutes before the deadline was for the expulsion [motion]."

Five women, including one former staffer, have so far accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and rape. The California Democrat has denied any criminal wrongdoing and his attorney has vowed to vigorously contest the allegations.

ERIC SWALWELL WAS CABLE NEWS STAR FOR YEARS BEFORE RAPID FALL FROM GRACE

Members of Congress have traditionally been reluctant to pursue expulsion against colleagues who have not been criminally charged or found by the House Ethics Committee to have committed misconduct, but Luna argued that the serious allegations against Swalwell required a more aggressive approach.

"His resignation, obviously, was something that had to be done," Luna said. "It was non-negotiable."

Luna also sharply criticized an atmosphere on Capitol Hill that she argued turned a blind eye to Swalwell’s alleged misconduct.

"From what we were hearing on the Hill, this was behavior that was known about for a while. But no one came forward to officially report it," Luna said, calling the silence "disturbing."

Luna predicted that additional sexual misconduct allegations would be made against Swalwell and said she turned over unreported information about Swalwell’s conduct to the FBI.

She also supported the expulsion of former Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who resigned from the House on Tuesday to fend off a looming removal vote.

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"I guess I took it on myself to act specifically in these cases because I got really frustrated. I’m up here to serve my constituents," Luna said. "There’s a lot of people that are up here to do good on behalf of their districts, to actually make real change."

"And when you are associated with and you accept people's behavior that is unethical and immoral and illegal, it's a poor reflection, not just on the institution, but it also taints the waters for everyone that serves with these people," she continued.

'The View' co-host claims she personally witnessed troubling behavior from Swalwell

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:15:01 -0400

"The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin claimed on Wednesday that she was privately disturbed by allegedly seeing California Rep. Eric Swalwell "overserved" with alcohol at an event.

Swalwell has ended his campaign for California governor and resigned from Congress after he was accused of sexual assault, as well as multiple reports alleging other misconduct with women. He has acknowledged "mistakes in judgment" but claimed the assault allegations against him are false.

Co-host Whoopi Goldberg noted that Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, one of Swalwell's closest friends and allies, "admitted there were rumors about Swalwell’s flirtatious behavior for years."

"Eric Swalwell lied to all of us," Gallego said at an impromptu press conference in his office earlier this week. "He lied to the most powerful people in this country, and they trusted him. They trusted him with some of the most sensitive spots in our government, whether it was on Judiciary Committee, Intel Committee, impeaching Donald Trump."

STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP'S POPE COMMENTS, WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF 'CRIMINAL' CONDUCT

He later added that this "clouded my judgment, my friendship with him," he continued. "Our family's friendship together with him clouded my judgment. And I was wrong. I deeply, deeply regret that."

Griffin noted reports that Swalwell's alleged misconduct was not a surprise to many observers, including herself.

"I do think the rumors matter, because, to be honest, I had heard and even experienced — nothing wrong or criminal — but I’ve been with Eric Swalwell when he seemed overserved," she said, "I’m not saying something that I wouldn’t have said to his face, and I filed it away. Just as a woman, you pay attention when you’re like, ‘This is a business setting. This is something I’m not super comfortable with.'"

"People who even had a little inkling should have stepped up and said something, and if you knew of something wrong, something criminal, you absolutely needed to," Griffin added.

CALIFORNIA REPORTER CLAIMS ERIC SWALWELL’S CONDUCT ‘WAS KNOWN,’ RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT LOCAL SUPPORT

Griffin noted Monday that even the appearance of misconduct is not only a source of personal scandal, but can make one a vulnerable target for America’s enemies.

"Swalwell sat on the Intel Committee, and there were allegations he had a suspected Chinese spy, Fang Fang, who was associated with him in his office," she said. "Now, he was not found to have engaged in wrongdoing, but to me, my spidey senses from having worked at the Pentagon go off, which is it was an open secret that he had issues with women, that he was somebody who was susceptible, potentially to heavy drinking, to impropriety with women."

"America’s adversaries look for how to exploit that," Griffin added. "So that, to me, pinpoints it was openly known. Nobody did anything about it. But thank God that now Democrats, Adam Schiff and others have called for him to step aside, and he did the right thing by doing it."

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Swalwell's PR representatives and legal representation did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's requests for comment.

Stefanik clashes with CNN hosts over Trump's Pope comments, while accusing Swalwell of 'criminal' conduct

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:30:56 -0400

Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., joined CNN’s "The Situation Room" Tuesday to defend President Donald Trump’s controversy surrounding Pope Leo XIV, while arguing that the papacy should remain strictly spiritual.

In a sharp exchange with CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown, Stefanik addressed the Trump's recent criticisms of Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff. Trump has recently targeted the Chicago-born Pope, calling him "weak" on foreign policy regarding the war in Iran.

"I don’t want to see the Pope as a politician," Stefanik said. "The President of the United States is a political figure. Of course, he’s going to be engaged in politics when he’s politically attacked."

Stefanik argued that religious authority should be distinct from the political fray, pointing to a spiritual resurgence rather than policy debates.

PELOSI DISTANCES HERSELF FROM ALLY SWALWELL AMID SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

"I want to see the Pope continue to focus on the Gospel," she said. "What I think we can highlight as Catholics... is the increased number of new Catholics entering the church, and that’s a great success for the Catholic Church long-term."

When asked about Trump’s now-deleted AI-generated images that appeared to depict him as a Christ-like figure, Stefanik acknowledged the controversy while shifting focus to policy outcomes. Trump, however, defended the photo, saying he viewed it as "a picture of me being a doctor in fixing — you had the Red Cross right there, you had, you know, medical people surrounding me."

When asked about the now-deleted AI-generated image shared by President Trump that critics said depicted him as a Jesus-like figure, Stefanik acknowledged the controversy. Trump defended the post earlier this week, claiming the robes and surrounding figures represented him as a "doctor" in a Red Cross setting.

"Certainly, the president made the correct decision in taking it down," Stefanik said. "I know CNN loves to focus on the tweets and memes of President Trump. I look at his record of results."

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The discussion later turned to allegations involving Rep. Eric Swalwell, where Stefanik sharply criticized both the congressman and media coverage of the claims.

The discussion grew most contentious regarding the sudden resignations of Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who both stepped down on Tuesday amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations.

"Frankly, I believe criminal crimes were committed," Stefanik said, adding it is "deeply disturbing."

"The media should have done more coverage of this," she continued. "This was sort of whispered about for many, many years."

FORMER SWALWELL ALLY SAYS LONGTIME FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM 'CLOUDED MY JUDGEMENT' AS RUMORS SWIRLED IN DC

Brown challenged Stefanik on why GOP leadership didn't act sooner, given the rumors.

"I think, correctly, he was forced to resign," Stefanik countered. "But that was only after the public came forward and these brave women and, frankly, staff members came forward. I think that every member, if there are these types of scandalous behaviors, they need to resign immediately, no matter what party they’re in."

Stefanik also addressed the scrutiny facing Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who has faced separate allegations of misconduct.

"My advice as a member of Congress is these members need to look in the mirror," Stefanik said. "They know if they have been conducting themselves unfitting for the office, they need to resign."

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Blitzer pressed Stefanik on whether she was applying a double standard, citing the 2023 civil jury finding that Donald Trump was liable for the sexual abuse of E. Jean Carroll.

"There's absolutely not a double standard," Stefanik replied. "If anything, the media is not focused on holding Democrats to account."

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She concluded by distinguishing between the "lawfare" she claims has been used against Trump and the evidence in the Swalwell case.

"Look at the text. Look at the videos of Eric Swalwell... That is very different than the lawfare and the politicization that we have seen," she said.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to the offices of Tony Gonzales and Cory Mills for further comment. Rep. Swalwell’s office referred all inquiries to his resignation statement issued Tuesday.

Leavitt puts Democrats on defense as ‘disgusting’ allegations against Swalwell mount

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:52:33 -0400

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed Democrats on Wednesday over mounting sexual assault allegations against former Rep. Eric Swalwell, questioning what they knew and why no one spoke out sooner.

"I think the accusations and allegations against former Rep. Swalwell are despicable and disgusting," said Leavitt.

"It's also quite plausible that there were many other Democrats in this town on Capitol Hill who knew about his, perhaps illegal behavior, certainly his disgusting and inappropriate behavior," said Leavitt.

Swalwell announced Monday that he would step down from the House after four women came forward accusing the longtime congressman of assault. The mounting allegations, which ultimately derailed his political future, followed his decision to exit California’s 2026 gubernatorial race just a day earlier.

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Leavitt urged journalists to press lawmakers on why no one spoke out sooner, specifically calling out Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.

"Ask Democrats in power how they knew about such despicable behavior from one of their elected representatives for so long, but never said or did anything about it," said Leavitt.

Gallego on Monday accused his close congressional ally and longtime friend of living a double life.

"I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell," Gallego said in a statement following Swalwell dropping out of California's 2026 gubernatorial race.

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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has also denied having any knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged behavior, saying "none whatsoever" in response to a reporter.

Pelosi added Swalwell’s resignation announcement Monday was a "smart decision" and the "right thing to do" after a wave of allegations threatened to force his ouster.

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Gallego’s office for comment.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s Adam Pack contributed to this report.

DAVID MARCUS: How many Swalwell-style creeps are Democrats protecting?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:21:53 -0400

The most amazing thing, though certainly not the most disgusting, about the revelations of sexual impropriety by Democrat California Rep. Eric Swalwall is that somehow this man thought he could run for governor despite the horrifying allegations hanging over his head.

The most obvious answer as to why the TikTok video-producing congressman thought he could pull this off is that he believed the Democratic Party and its media allies would protect him. Frankly, he was correct about that, right up until he wasn’t.

The fact is that Salwell’s mistreatment of women has been an open secret in the swamp of D.C. for over a decade. And it's nothing new: Today, we read with shock about the sexual antics of men like Ted Kennedy in the 1980s that went widely unreported, but that was before the #MeToo movement.

These days, we assume that the media and political parties will swoop in on well-known allegations of sexual abuse. Maybe that would have happened if Swalwell had an R after his name, but it didn’t.

SWALWELL ACCUSERS DETAIL EXPERIENCES WITH LAWMAKER AFTER HE ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS

As his friends jump like rats from the sinking USS Swalwell, it is worth pondering how many other powerful Democrats have skeletons like his in the closet that the party’s shadowy leadership can call on to destroy them at the drop of a hat.

It is as clear as is the summer sun that the timing of Swalwell’s fall from grace was no accident. He was leading the polls for the party's nomination for governor, and Democrats clearly knew that if he faced off against a GOP nominee in the general election, he might well lose.

Just as with Sleepy Joe Biden, it was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, donning her black-hooded robe and wielding her political sickle to give her former mentee Swalwell the call of death, telling him to drop out.

KASH PATEL TAUNTS SWALWELL WITH FBI SIT-DOWN AS RESIGNATION FALLOUT GROWS

Just as with Biden, whose mental decline was clear to anyone paying attention, Pelosi and her party are pretending they are shocked, just shocked, to learn of Swalwell’s illicit and allegedly criminal dalliances.

But let’s not kid ourselves. Captain Renoult was more shocked to discover gambling at Rick’s Cafe than Pelosi was about Swalwell’s raging libido.

We have long known that the Democratic Party does not let outsiders win big races. Just ask Bernie Sanders, who was knifed by the establishment in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential nomination fights. But Swalwell is no outsider.

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I believe these women and think Swalwell’s a creep, but why didn’t they come forward when he was running for president (remember that)? It was obviously done now to clear the field and block the freak accident of Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco emerging from a jungle primary to leave just two Republicans on the general election ballot.

It starts to seem like the Democrats have something on everyone to the point that they can push a button and get rid of them whenever they need to.

This even applies to historical figures at this point. Take legendary workers' rights icon Caesar Chavez, who was recently canceled almost as fast as Swalwell when Republicans started pointing out that Chavez hated illegal immigration.

ERIC SWALWELL WAS CABLE NEWS STAR FOR YEARS BEFORE RAPID FALL FROM GRACE

Once again, liberal leadership activated the ejector seat and suddenly Chavez went from hero to having his name scrubbed off of buildings.

Long have admiring pundits celebrated the ability of Pelosi to rule her caucus, but now we have to wonder how much of that coercive power was basically a promise to keep secrets.

President Donald Trump often miserates about the fact that controlling Republicans is like herding cats while Democrats always stick together. But what if the glue is the communal fear of scandals being exposed?

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One thing is certain, there are a lot of nervous Democrats on Capitol Hill this week, especially as gossip network TMZ has opened a D.C. office, its spies now lurking from Capital Grille to Butterworth’s in search of licentious legislators.

Nobody knows what further shoes may drop here, but Swalwell’s close friend, Sen. Ruben Gallego, looked like a teenager who got caught shoplifting at Walmart when he faced reporters on Tuesday.

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Apparently, the senator had heard rumors that his best friend was "flirty," but nothing more, and if you believe that, then I have a bullet train in California to sell you.

A famous 1930s radio drama had the catchphrase, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!" For elected Democrats, it's not the Shadow they have to worry about. It is the party that knows, and it is the party that can end their careers as quickly as they made them.

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Kimmel, Colbert silent on Eric Swalwell scandal after platforming Democrat

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:49:32 -0400

Late-night shows "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" did not bring up former Rep. Eric Swalwell's alleged sexual misconduct scandal during Monday and Tuesday's shows.

Swalwell announced Monday he will officially resign from office after his sexual misconduct allegations triggered a surge of lawmakers calling for his expulsion over the weekend. He suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday.

Swalwell has used late-night interviews to announce some of his political campaigns, including his campaign for California governor, which he announced on Kimmel's show in November. Swalwell announced his 2020 presidential run on Colbert's show seven years ago.

The pair of late-night hosts also ignored GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales announcing his plan to resign after he admitted to sexual misconduct with a staffer earlier this year.

ERIC SWALWELL WAS CABLE NEWS STAR FOR YEARS BEFORE RAPID FALL FROM GRACE

Kimmel and Colbert's monologues often mock and cover the news of the day or previous day. Kimmel covered former President Joe Biden's appearance at Syracuse, the war in Iran, President Donald Trump's feud with Pope Leo and the Jesus picture posted by the president.

The only hint that Kimmel gave to his audience that something might be going on was when the host joked about Biden attending his portrait unveiling. Kimmel quipped of the former president, "Maybe run for the governor of California. It's wide open."

Colbert also continued coverage of the president's controversial post and devoted a segment to the fertility rate.

A representative for both Colbert and Kimmel's shows did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

After Swalwell's announcement on Kimmel's program in 2025, the late-night host referred to him as the possible future governor of California.

REP. LUNA WARNS OF POTENTIAL JAIL TIME FOR ERIC SWALWELL FOLLOWING SERIOUS CRIMINAL ALLEGATIONS

Swalwell was a frequent guest on CNN and MS NOW over the years as a Democratic lawmaker.

A Media Research Center study found that Swalwell appeared on MS NOW 26 times and on CNN another 24 times in 2026 alone, with all the appearances coming between January 1 and April 10.

Some pundits and journalists have said that Swalwell's reputation with women was well known.

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"The View" co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said on Monday that Swalwell’s reputation with women was reportedly an "open secret" that made him exploitable by America's enemies. Liberal pundit Matthew Yglesias posted that the situation was "widely rumored" and journalist Yashar Ali said Democrats have "all known for years." One reporter even suggested she failed to report out certain details because "MeToo stories on the Hill aren't related to my beat."

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